Teaching and Admonishing What We Learn From Psalms

Teaching and Admonishing What We Learn From Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs Colossians 3: 16

Why Study Hymns? • Making melody in our heart involves understanding what we sing (Eph. 5: 16) • Teaching and admonishing involves understanding what we sing (Col. 3: 16) • New converts / children may not understand the words and phrases of our hymns • Songs, like Scripture (Acts 8: 30), are more meaningful when we understand what we are reading

Why Study Hymns? • We do not speak today in the Old English that was often used to compose hymns • Understanding something about the composer of a hymn can illustrate the meaning of that hymn • Bible words and phrases used in hymns must be understood

When Can We Study Hymns? • • Sermon in song A Wednesday night talk Around the Lord’s table Song leader can briefly explain words or phrases before each song • Singing service • Bible class setting • Singing at home

Tools For Hymn Study • To Study the English Words: a good Webster’s English dictionary (including etymology) • To Study the Composer: good books on hymn origins – “Then Sings My Soul, ” Robert J. Morgan – “A Song is Born, ” Robert J. Taylor – “A Hymn Is Born, ” Clint Bonner • To Study Bible words and phrases: a good Bible concordance (Bible software for computer)

Five Areas of Hymn Study • • • Songs with words defined Songs based on scriptures Songs with misapplied scriptures Songs with incorrect messages Songs that are misapplied

Songs with Words Defined • He Leadeth Me (407) – “fraught” = filled – “bowers” = dwelling, retreat, shelter, arbor • I Know Whom I Have Believed (237) – “vale” = valley, a low point • Wonderful Love of Jesus (155) – “lays” = simple poem, balled, melody, song – “balm” = aromatic, soothing ointment

Songs with Words Defined • Nearer, Still Nearer (125) – “haven” = harbor, port, place of safety – “pomp” = vain show, display • We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes (396) – “bade” = past tense of “bid” (invite) – “succor” = relief, aid, help • Beautiful Isle – “repining” = discontent, longing for something – “guerdon” = reward, recompense – “rifted” = cracked, separated, parted – “isle” = island

Songs Based on Scriptures • On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand (Ex. 15; Rev. 15: 3) • Flee As A Bird to Your Mountain (Psa. 11: 1) • Ivory Palaces (Psa. 45: 6 -8) • Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet (Isa. 1: 18) • Some Day The Silver Cord Will Break (Eccl. 12: 1 -6) • We Have An Anchor (Heb. 6: 18 -19) • In the Land of Fadeless Day (Rev. 21: 16, 21) • Beulah Land (Isa. 65: 1 -5)

Songs with Misapplied Scriptures • Prepare to Meet Thy God (based on Amos 4: 12 referring to Israel sentenced to judgment, not getting prepared for judgment) • Jesus Is Coming Soon (second verse misapplies Matthew 24)

Songs with Incorrect Messages • Christ Receiveth the Sinful Men (“satisfied its last demand”) • Rock of Ages (“Be of sin the double cure…”)

Songs That Are Misapplied • Break Thou the Bread of Life (based on John 6, but often used for the Lord’s supper) • Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus (refers to our attitude of heart, not standing up)

What Will You Do With Jesus? • Albert B. Simpson, Scottish, born 1843, his hymns were known for their complexity, composed 1897 • Verse 1 “Pilate’s hall” – Mt. 27: 2 “Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all” – Mt. 26: 56 “Hearken” = give careful attention, listen carefully “What will you do with Jesus? ” – Mt. 27: 22 • Verse 2 “false” … “faithful” … “good” … “ill” (bad, evil, harm)

What Will You Do With Jesus? • Verse 3 “evade” = avoid, escape, get away “evade Him as Pilate did” – Mt. 27: 24 “what e’er (ever) betide” = to happen “vainly” = useless, without success • Verse 4 “like Peter, your Lord deny” = Mt. 27: 69 ff “scorn” = mock, disgrace, disdain, contempt “foes” = enemies “daring” = fearless, bold, courageous

What Will You Do With Jesus? • Verse 5 “follow Thee all the way” – Lk. 9: 57; Jn. 13: 36 -38 • Chorus “neutral you cannot be” – Mt. 12: 30; Mk. 9: 40 “What will he do with me? ” – Mt. 10: 33; 2 Tim. 2: 12

After the Midnight • James Rowe, England, born 1865, wrote more than 19, 000 song texts, composed 1915 • Verse 1 “midnight” = end of life’s journey “tempest” = violent storm “jeering” = to make fun of, mock, taunt, scoff • Verse 2 “After the battle” – Eph. 6: 10 ff “weeping” – Rom. 12: 15 “journey” = life’s journey “burdens” – Gal. 6: 2, 5

After the Midnight • Verse 3 “all through the story” = life’s story “shadows … sunshine” = bad times and good times • Chorus “shadows … sunshine” = life on earth, life in heaven “cling” = hold on to tightly (Josh. 22: 5; 23; 8) “All will be well” = when we go to heaven

A Wonderful Savior • Fannie J. Crosby, born 1820, blind at age 6, lost a child, lived separated from her husband, wrote over 8, 000 hymns, lived to be 95, memorized large portions of Scripture, composed this song in 1890 • Verse 1 “A wonderful Savior” – Isa. 9: 6

A Wonderful Savior • Verse 2 “burden away” – burden of sin, daily burdens “shall not be moved” – Psa. 16: 8; 21: 7; 46: 5; 62: 6 “giveth me strength” – Eph. 6: 10 • Verse 3 “numberless blessings” – Eph. 1: 3 “filled with His fulness divine” – Eph. 3: 19; 4: 13; Col. 2: 9 -10 “sing in my rapture” – carried away with joy, love, pleasure, excitment

A Wonderful Savior • Verse 4 “clothed in his brightness” – Phil. 3: 20 -21 “clouds of the sky” – 1 Thess. 4: 13 -17 “millions on high” – Rev. 5: 11 -12 • Chorus “cleft of the rock” = crack, crevice, split in the rock (Ex. 33: 22), place of protection “dry, thirsty land” = life here on earth (Psa. 63: 1; Isa. 32: 2; 35: 1; 41: 18) “depths of His love” – Rom. 11: 33; Eph. 3: 18

A Mighty Fortress • Martin Luther, a Protestant Reformer, Bible translator, revived congregational singing, composed this song in 1529, based on Psalm 46, at least 80 English versions exist • Verse 1 (first line) “mighty fortress” = strong, fortifide place; fort “bulwark” = defensive wall or protection (earth, rock) • Verse 1 (second line) “Our helper” – Heb. 13: 6 (Psa. 118: 6 -7) “amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing” = in the middle of large amount of earthly evils overcoming

A Mighty Fortress • Verse 1 “ancient foe” = old enemy (Satan, the Devil) “Doth” = does “woe” = sorrow, affliction, trouble, misery, hurt “craft and power” = cunning (Eph. 6: 11; 2 Cor. 2: 11) “armed with cruel hate” – Eph. 6: 16 “On earth is not his equal” = man alone is no match for Satan

A Mighty Fortress • Verse 2 (first line) “confide” = trust “striving” = struggle, fight against Satan • Verse 2 (second line) “right One on our side” = Jesus (Psa. 124: 1 -2) “Dost ask” = “Do you ask? ” “Lord Sabaoth” = Lord of Hosts (Rom. 9: 29; Jas. 5: 4) “age to age” = eternal (Mic. 5: 2; Rev. 1: 18; Heb. 13: 8) “win the battle” – Heb. 2: 14; Rev. 20: 10

A Mighty Fortress • Verse 3 (first line) “tho’” = though “threaten to undo us” = threaten to ruin us (destroy) • Verse 3 (second line) “we will not fear” – 1 Pet. 3: 14 “hath” = has “truth to triumph” = truth to win (2 Cor. 2: 14) “goods and kindred” = possessions and family “mortal life” = life that must die “body they may kill” – Acts 7: 59; 12: 2; Rev. 2: 13 “God’s truth abideth still” – 1 Pet. 1: 25 “His kingdom is forever” – Dan. 2: 44; Heb. 12: 28